Read the Mayor's Welcome Statement.
The City’s current Comprehensive Land Use Plan was an outgrowth of the “2001 and Beyond” planning process, and was adopted in 2006. City Staff has worked with the Planning Commission and the Administration to begin an update to the plan for a number of reasons, but crucially because Duluth is a markedly different city than it was in 2006 - demographically, economically and culturally.
The social and economic environment that existed when the 2006 plan was adopted has changed. For example, over the last several years Duluth has been recognized nationally for its expanded community assets and investments. A comprehensive plan is a representation of a community’s vision and goals for the future. When the community changes, the community’s vision should adapt. The updated plan will recognize and build upon the successes and momentum of the community that have compounded over the past decade.
A comprehensive plan is also the primary tool a community has to plan for the future; it is a tool that ensures that growth makes the community better, not just bigger. Land use controls, such as zoning and subdivision regulations, are most supportable and allow the City to provide the highest level development services to the community when made in the context of an up-to-date comprehensive plan.
Major plan elements that are critical for decision-making in a large City were not fully addressed in the 2006 Comprehensive Land Use Plan, including:
These issues will be researched, discussed, and a shared community vision developed through the Comprehensive Planning process.
The comprehensive plan timeline lays out the process that the city and residents will use to develop the plan and a vision for Duluth’s future.
A Vision Committee will provide guidance throughout the process.